Seabourn Quest was one of three new vessels that represented a radical design direction for Seabourn. Since pioneering its style of cruising in 1988, the luxury cruise company had operated three 208-passenger ships that are now more than two decades old. Then in 2009, Seabourn introduced a new class of vessel.
Designed by Norway’s Yran & Storbraaten Architects, Seabourn Odyssey was hailed by some as “a game-changer for the ultra-luxury segment,” when she debuted in 2009. Indeed, Seabourn Odyssey offered a wealth of amenities made possible by what was then one of the highest ratios of space per guest in the cruise industry. Silversea Cruises’ Silver Spirit, which also debuted in 2009, has a space ratio of 66.6, while Seabourn’s Odyssey-class vessels boast a slightly higher space ratio of 71. In 2013, Hamburg-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises blew away both ships when it introduced the ultra-luxury vessel Europa 2 with a space ratio of 83.
See Nautical Nomenclature: How Space Ratio Affects Your Cruise
Some of the high-profile amenities on Seabourn Odyssey included the largest spa on any luxury ship and generous private verandas on 90 percent of her suites. Two identical sisters followed, Seabourn Sojourn in 2010 and Seabourn Quest in 2011. Today, Seabourn Quest and her sisters are among the most beautiful luxury ships afloat. About twice the size of their three older fleetmates, which depart the Seabourn fleet in 2014 and 2015, the newer trio, measuring 32,000 gross tons and carrying 450 guests each, pack twice the punch while maintaining the same sense of calm, Scandinavian luxury. What distinguishes the Seabourn Quest and its sisters within their competitive set? Find out our newly updated review of Seabourn Quest.
